AstroBoy Online Forums

I forget why I didn't ask this earlier. Maybe it's because I thought it was a stupid question, someone may have already asked this but I'll ask it anyway.

Does anyone here know why Tezuka drew Atom with just briefs and boots? I imagine someone here already would ask that, but I don't recall. It's something that bugged me when I first saw the series but I got over his outfit over time. I never really got an answer as to why Tezuka made him half-naked but I'm sure he had his reasons.

My theory is that he figured robots didn't really need something like actual clothing, and not to mention things like this usually don't bother Japanese viewers as much as it does to a Western audience. Also I think the joint lines that he had in the 60's and 80's series had a lot to do with it. I think in the 60's series it didn't bother a lot of people since the show was in Black and White and just for the simple fact that times were just different 50 years ago.

The 80's series was in color but Astro had his joint lines, obviously they made him look more robotic and it didn't make him look as naked IMO. Then the 03 series came years later and he was drawn without them. I'm sure I could explain this better but I'm sure you guys get what I mean with the joint lines.

Obviously Astro's appearance was not meant to be sexy, so my theory is that Tezuka drew him that way to make him look more like a robot. Then as time went on with other adaptions, different artists made small changes to his appearance. But that's just a theory that I have.

But I could be totally wrong and I wanted to see if anyone here actually knew why. So do you guys have any ideas?

You should ask writer Steve and editor Ryan what they think... I'm sure they will enlighten you!

I think the answer is revealed looking at Tezuka's first version of Astro - Ambassador Atom - he was in a yellow "body suit" - all painted on, because he's a robot.

Back in the 50's/60's plastic and other synthetic materials didn't exist as they do today. So in the REAL 21st Century, a realistic, humanoid robot would have a “synthetic skin” and would “need” to wear clothes.

But in Dr. Tezuka’s day, it didn’t occur to him that a robot COULD be anatomically correct, and for practical reasons, Astro was built with the bare necessities of clothing - briefs and boots (although in some early images he’s shown with bare legs). And his “speedoes” actually have a belt, so really, they AREN’T “underpants” - but shorts.

Astro maintains his “super robot outfit” out of “tradition” more than necessity, and I have to admit, I’m used to seeing him in clothes now, and I’m fine with it.

Meh, Astro should've just done this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cowuECmSxg

And agreeing with April. I just think it was the times as well, people were much more innocent back then. Nowadays isn't the case. I mean, wasn't Astro Boy flagged off youtube once because they thought it was gross seeing him in that speedo? o_O;

"Alittleacorn" wrote:Meh, Astro should've just done this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cowuECmSxg

And agreeing with April. I just think it was the times as well, people were much more innocent back then. Nowadays isn't the case. I mean, wasn't Astro Boy flagged off youtube once because they thought it was gross seeing him in that speedo? o_O;

To my knowledge, a few years back before the shows were "officially" on YouTube someone tried uploading the series on YouTube.

Now, you would think they would get flagged for copyright reasons.

But no! Instead someone flagged it for child pornography or something. The videos were taken down because YouTube has a reputation for blindly taking videos down without looking at the claims to see if they're actually legitimate.

"Ghost" wrote:But no! Instead someone flagged it for child pornography or something. The videos were taken down because YouTube has a reputation for blindly taking videos down without looking at the claims to see if they're actually legitimate.

Oh my gawd. XD;;

Only In America.

By the way, here's my take on Astro's look: just think about the million times people on this site have proclaimed how cute he is. There you go, that's the main reason. You can add the fact that he's a robot and other stuff as excuses, but ultimately it all led to Tezuka creating a cute design that would be appealing and well memorized. Except In America.

"F-Man" wrote:[QUOTE=Ghost;130795]But no! Instead someone flagged it for child pornography or something. The videos were taken down because YouTube has a reputation for blindly taking videos down without looking at the claims to see if they're actually legitimate.

Oh my gawd. XD;;

Only In America.[/QUOTE]

You can blame Ryan M.J. Tuominen from Manitoba. It's all his fault

And what about that butt gun of his?!?

It's a very nice butt. Gun.